Almost two million people have taken the heart age test and 78% of participants have a heart age higher than their actual age. Of those, 34% were more than five years over their actual age and 14% at least 10 years higher.

More than 84,000 people die from a heart attack or stroke each year in England.

Dr Matt Kearney, from NHS England, said the test has the “potential to help millions of people”.

The test is being backed by the British Heart Foundation and the Stroke Association.

Juliet Bouverie, chief executive at the Stroke Association, said: “We believe that across the UK there are around six million people who are undiagnosed and untreated for high blood pressure or atrial fibrillation, two of the biggest risk factors for stroke.

“However, treatment for these conditions can significantly reduce your risk of stroke and the devastation it causes.”

The test asks 16 simple physical and lifestyle questions and gives an estimation of your heart age, and a prediction of the risk of having a heart attack or stroke by a certain age.

It also gives suggestions on lifestyle changes to help people reduce their heart age.

One year after quitting smoking, a person’s risk of heart disease is about half that of a smoker’s

Doing the recommended amount of weekly exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke by between 20 and 35%

Increasing the amount of fruit and veg from three portions daily to more than five can lower the risk of heart disease or stroke by up to 20%

David joined the gym, cut down on his alcohol intake and is eating much more healthily. He says taking control of his health and knowing what he’s dealing with is very satisfying and empowering.

So far David has lost two stone and his BMI has come down by six points.

“I want to have a long and happy and healthy retirement and that’s what it’s about now – I’ve worked for 40 years continuously and I want to be enjoying things, I don’t want to be hobbling around on a stick, which I could have easily been doing by now.

“I know when I’ve had those temptations to have an extra pint of beer or glass of wine I know I’ve got to do something about that as a forfeit – it’s good, it’s an empowering thing to do.”